Cannot overcome rear tire grip for anything close to a launch with optimal tire spin. That said, the CTS's engine feels/sounds willing, shifting at redline smartly in either D or DS modes. Third gear feels exceptionally tall and is just enough for the quarter-mile. Very consistent collection of runs because there's very little I could do to affect a difference.

Skid pad: I expected more grip -- especially at the front -- than this. The understeer is not the tire-screeching type, but rather quiet and gradual. Nearly identical clockwise and counterclockwise results speak to its good balance. Steering loads up early and heavily -- too heavily for a modern power steering system. Slalom: Feels heavy and disinclined to change direction rapidly, despite its competitive results. Heavy steering, slow yaw response and more roll than I expected from the FE3 option. At the limit, there's not much feel for what's going on, but it's not threatening, either. Understeer eventually creeps in to make the car "late" at the next cone(s). Good, not great.

Cannot overcome rear tire grip for anything close to a launch with optimal tire spin. That said, the CTS's engine feels/sounds willing, shifting at redline smartly in either D or DS modes. Third gear feels exceptionally tall and is just enough for the quarter-mile. Very consistent collection of runs because there's very little I could do to affect a difference.

Skid pad: I expected more grip -- especially at the front -- than this. The understeer is not the tire-screeching type, but rather quiet and gradual. Nearly identical clockwise and counterclockwise results speak to its good balance. Steering loads up early and heavily -- too heavily for a modern power steering system. Slalom: Feels heavy and disinclined to change direction rapidly, despite its competitive results. Heavy steering, slow yaw response and more roll than I expected from the FE3 option. At the limit, there's not much feel for what's going on, but it's not threatening, either. Understeer eventually creeps in to make the car "late" at the next cone(s). Good, not great.

Cannot overcome rear tire grip for anything close to a launch with optimal tire spin. That said, the CTS's engine feels/sounds willing, shifting at redline smartly in either D or DS modes. Third gear feels exceptionally tall and is just enough for the quarter-mile. Very consistent collection of runs because there's very little I could do to affect a difference.

Skid pad: I expected more grip -- especially at the front -- than this. The understeer is not the tire-screeching type, but rather quiet and gradual. Nearly identical clockwise and counterclockwise results speak to its good balance. Steering loads up early and heavily -- too heavily for a modern power steering system. Slalom: Feels heavy and disinclined to change direction rapidly, despite its competitive results. Heavy steering, slow yaw response and more roll than I expected from the FE3 option. At the limit, there's not much feel for what's going on, but it's not threatening, either. Understeer eventually creeps in to make the car "late" at the next cone(s). Good, not great.